1.Advances in perioperative nutritional management for patients with esophageal cancer
Zuyu ZHANG ; Bo YANG ; Rong NIU ; Jijun XUE ; Jian CHEN ; Dong LI ; Wentao ZHAO ; Wenfeng HAN ; Yue BAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):157-162
Esophageal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in China, and radical surgery remains the cornerstone of its comprehensive treatment. However, multifactorial challenges such as postoperative gastrointestinal tract reconstruction, traumatic stress, and tumor-related metabolic disturbances render esophageal cancer patients highly susceptible to malnutrition. Perioperative nutritional support therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing surgical safety, improving clinical outcomes, and elevating patients' quality of life by regulating metabolic homeostasis, preserving organ function, and optimizing the immune microenvironment. This article reviews the mechanisms underlying malnutrition in esophageal cancer, methods for nutritional status assessment, and precision intervention pathways based on multi-omics evaluations. The aim is to strengthen clinicians' awareness of standardized perioperative nutritional management for esophageal cancer patients and promote its clinical implementation, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery and improving long-term quality of life.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates VEGF Signaling Pathway for Anti-angiogenic Intervention in Preneoplastic Breast Cancer: A Review
Huikun BAI ; Min HUANG ; Benfa LI ; Rong ZHAO ; Zhuoling LI ; Dongdong ZHAO ; Na YANG ; Awei BI ; Yun GAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):295-302
Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer, preneoplastic breast cancer (PBC) carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis, plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy, clinical limitations such as invasiveness, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In addition, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway, together with other pathways, form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by multi-component synergy, multi-pathway regulation, and high safety, demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation, this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC, and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC, with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.
3.Design Strategies and Antitumor Applications of Zinc-based Nanomaterials for Achieving “Zinc Overload”
Rong WANG ; Lu ZHAO ; Yun-Feng BAI ; Feng FENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1896-1913
“Zinc overload” has emerged as a promising strategy in tumor nanomedicine, wherein exogenous modulation of metal ion homeostasis selectively triggers cancer cell death. Among various bioactive ions, zinc (Zn2+) stands out due to its unique ability to simultaneously disrupt energy metabolism, damage mitochondria, degrade mutant p53, and activate antitumor immunity. Notably, tumor cells exhibit greater sensitivity to Zn2+ overload while normal cells maintain higher tolerance. This review systematically summarizes design strategies for achieving “zinc overload” using biodegradable zinc-based nanomaterials, focusing on two fundamental questions: how to specifically deliver Zn2+ to tumors (targeted delivery), and how to trigger controlled release at the tumor site (release strategies). Current challenges are critically analyzed and future perspectives are offered. For targeted delivery, the strategies are categorized into passive, active, and biomimetic approaches. Passive targeting relies on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect but suffers from poor enrichment efficiency and rapid clearance. Active targeting conjugates ligands (e.g., folic acid, hyaluronic acid) to recognize overexpressed receptors, significantly enhancing cellular uptake. It is emphasized that hyaluronic acid-modified ZIF-8 can co-deliver siRNA for GLUT1 silencing, achieving systematic energy exhaustion. Biomimetic delivery using cell membranes confers immune evasion, prolonged circulation, and homologous targeting, exhibiting the lowest off-target toxicity. This approach is considered to guide future nanocarrier design. For Zn2+ release, 4 mechanisms are discussed. Endogenous environment-responsive release exploits acidic pH to degrade materials like ZIF-8 or ZnO, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and autophagic blockade. Incorporation of other ions (Ca2+, Mn2+, Ni2+) enables synergistic metabolic interference and immune activation. Exogenous responsive release using near-infrared light offers spatiotemporally precise activation. For example, a nanorobot combining black phosphorus with ZIF-8 accelerates Zn2+ release under dual acid and light stimuli. Ion exchange represents an elegant trigger: zinc complexes (e.g., Zn-carnosine) have higher affinity for Cu2+; competitive coordination releases Zn2+ while depleting Cu2+, dually inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. This mechanism is proposed to hold promise for overcoming metabolic reprogramming. Finally, biological regulation—silencing the ZnT1 zinc transporter to block Zn2+ efflux—represents a paradigm shift from passive delivery to active homeostatic disruption. This “block and attack” strategy may prevent acquired resistance. The therapeutic consequences of zinc overload are multifaceted. Zn2+ causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization and impaired SNARE complex formation, blocking autophagic flux and inducing a distinct cell death termed “zincosis”. In mitochondria, Zn2+ inhibits glutathione reductase, causing oxidative stress and electron transport chain blockade. Meanwhile, Zn2+ suppresses glycolytic enzymes (GAPDH, LDHA), leading to ATP depletion and reversing drug resistance by downregulating P-glycoprotein. Moreover, zinc overload triggers immunogenic cell death, promoting dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Combined with cGAS-STING activation, this reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inhibits distant metastasis. These interconnected mechanisms endow zinc overload with a unique advantage over single-modality treatments. Despite remarkable preclinical efficacy, challenges remain: systemic toxicity from off-target release, potential zinc tolerance via metallothionein upregulation, and insufficient pharmacokinetic data. Future directions should prioritize: (1) intelligent stimuli-responsive materials; (2) combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors;(3) theragnostic integration; (4) deeper mechanistic studies; and (5) artificial intelligence-assisted screening. Zinc overload therapy is expected to become an indispensable component of integrated tumor treatment.
4.Efficacy and safety of different daily doses of aspirin in prevention of preeclampsia:a meta-analysis
Xiaoxia SHI ; Yan BAI ; Liting RONG ; Yuanjie DU ; Lijuan YUAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(21):2733-2737
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of different daily doses of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS The case-control studies and prospective randomized controlled trials on aspirin with daily dose ≥ 100 mg (trial group) vs. <100 mg (control group) in the prevention of PE were retrieved from PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, China Biomedical Literatue Database and Wanfang Data from base-building to January 2025. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 11 literatures were included, involving 3 052 pregnant women. Meta-analysis showed the incidence of PE [RR=0.63, 95%CI (0.53,0.76), P<0.000 01], gestational hypertension [RR=0.69, 95%CI (0.50,0.94),P=0.02], preterm birth [RR=0.56, 95%CI (0.47,0.66), P<0.000 01], and intrauterine growth retardation [RR=0.73,95%CI (0.61,0.87),P=0.000 5] in trial groups were significantly lower than control group. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage between the two groups had no statistically significant difference [RR=1.17, 95%CI (0.90,1.53),P=0.25]. Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of PE in Chinese pregnant women taking 150 mg of aspirin was significantly higher than taking 100 mg of aspirin [RR=3.40, 95%CI (1.29, 8.93), P=0.01]; but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidences of postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Aspirin with daily dose ≥100 mg is more effective in preventing PE than daily dose <100 mg, with lower rates of gestational hypertension, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth retardation. It does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. For pregnant women in China, daily dose 100 mg of aspirin may be more effective in preventing PE than 150 mg.
5.Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation might reduce fear memory in fear-conditioned mice through an anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism.
Yingjie DU ; Yue ZHANG ; Yafan BAI ; Min LIU ; Congya ZHANG ; Yimeng CHEN ; Shaoyuan LI ; Peijing RONG ; Guyan WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):237-239
6.Safety and effectiveness of lecanemab in Chinese patients with early Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from a multidimensional real-world study.
Wenyan KANG ; Chao GAO ; Xiaoyan LI ; Xiaoxue WANG ; Huizhu ZHONG ; Qiao WEI ; Yonghua TANG ; Peijian HUANG ; Ruinan SHEN ; Lingyun CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Rong FANG ; Wei WEI ; Fengjuan ZHANG ; Gaiyan ZHOU ; Weihong YUAN ; Xi CHEN ; Zhao YANG ; Ying WU ; Wenli XU ; Shuo ZHU ; Liwen ZHANG ; Naying HE ; Weihuan FANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Huijun JU ; Yaya BAI ; Jun LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2907-2916
INTRODUCTION:
Lecanemab has shown promise in treating early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its safety and efficacy in Chinese populations remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and 6-month clinical outcomes of lecanemab in Chinese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD.
METHODS:
In this single-arm, real-world study, participants with MCI due to AD or mild AD received biweekly intravenous lecanemab (10 mg/kg). The study was conducted at Hainan Branch, Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patient enrollment and baseline assessments commenced in November 2023. Safety assessments included monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. Clinical and biomarker changes from baseline to 6 months were evaluated using cognitive scales (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes [CDR-SB]), plasma biomarker analysis, and advanced neuroimaging.
RESULTS:
A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this ongoing real-world study. Safety analysis revealed predominantly mild adverse events, with infusion-related reactions (20.3%, 13/64) being the most common. Of these, 69.2% (9/13) occurred during the initial infusion and 84.6% (11/13) did not recur. ARIA-H (microhemorrhages/superficial siderosis) and ARIA-E (edema/effusion) were observed in 9.4% (6/64) and 3.1% (2/64) of participants, respectively, with only two symptomatic cases (one ARIA-E presenting with headache and one ARIA-H with visual disturbances). After 6 months of treatment, cognitive scores remained stable compared to baseline (MMSE: 22.33 ± 5.58 vs . 21.27 ± 4.30, P = 0.733; MoCA: 16.38 ± 6.67 vs . 15.90 ± 4.78, P = 0.785; CDR-SB: 2.30 ± 1.65 vs . 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.357), while significantly increasing plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (+21.42%) and Aβ40 (+23.53%) levels compared to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lecanemab demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with early AD. Cognitive stability and biomarker changes over 6 months suggest potential efficacy, though high dropout rates and absence of a control group warrant cautious interpretation. These findings provide preliminary real-world evidence for lecanemab's use in China, supporting further investigation in larger controlled studies.
REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT07034222.
Humans
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Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
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Male
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Female
;
Aged
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Middle Aged
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Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy*
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Aged, 80 and over
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Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
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Biomarkers
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East Asian People
7.Glycyrrhetinic acid combined with doxorubicin induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by regulating ERMMDs.
Ming-Shi PANG ; Xiu-Yun BAI ; Jue YANG ; Rong-Jun DENG ; Xue-Qin YANG ; Yuan-Yan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3088-3096
This study investigates the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) combined with doxorubicin(DOX) on apoptosis in HepG2 cells and its possible mechanisms. HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro, and cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. Flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis levels in HepG2 cells. The cells were divided into the following groups: control group(0 μmol·L~(-1)), DOX group(2 μmol·L~(-1)), GA group(150 μmol·L~(-1)), and DOX + GA combination group(2 μmol·L~(-1) DOX + 150 μmol·L~(-1) GA), with treatments given for 24 hours. The colocalization level between the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) and mitochondria was assessed by colocalization fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence probes were used to measure the Ca~(2+) content in the ER and mitochondria. The qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of sirtuin-3(SIRT3). Co-immunoprecipitation(CO-IP) was applied to investigate the interactions between voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) and SIRT3, as well as between VDAC1, glucose-regulated protein 75(GRP75), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor(IP3R). The results showed that the combination of DOX and GA promoted apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cells. The colocalization level between the ER and mitochondria was significantly reduced, the Ca~(2+) content in the ER was significantly increased, and the Ca~(2+) content in the mitochondria was significantly decreased. The relative expression of VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R was significantly reduced, and interactions between VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R were observed. SIRT3 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased, and an interaction between SIRT3 and VDAC1 was detected. The acetylation level of VDAC1 was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GA combined with DOX induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by mediating the deacetylation of VDAC1 through SIRT3, weakening the interactions among VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R. This regulates the formation of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial membrane domains(ERMMDs), affects Ca~(2+) transport between the ER and mitochondria, and ultimately triggers cell apoptosis.
Humans
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Hep G2 Cells
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Glycyrrhetinic Acid/pharmacology*
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Doxorubicin/pharmacology*
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Liver Neoplasms/genetics*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology*
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism*
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
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Membrane Proteins/genetics*
8.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*
9.Research progress of performn 2
Zhiyuan DENG ; Lu BAI ; Rong YU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(4):542-545
Perforin 2(MPEG 1)is a member of the MACPF(membrane attack complex/PRF membrane attack complex/perforin)superfamily,which is mainly secreted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes,natural killer cells and mac-rophages Through the formation of active pores on the target cell membrane,perforin 2 participates in altering the permeability-pressure of the target cell,or collaborates with granzymes to induce the apoptosis of target cells.Re-cently,with the development of molecular biology,MPEG 1 has been increasingly studied,and the unique gene se-quence and cell types of perforin 2 have specific functions and adaptive evolution in different immune cells,which may determine its performance and therapeutic potential in different disease states.
10.Genetic analysis of four individuals harboring a 16q22 fragile site.
Xiaoxiao HUANG ; Rong QIANG ; Yuan LIU ; Xue BAI ; Shuxian LI ; Qiujie JIN ; Qingting BU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(4):500-504
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze four patients with a 16q22 fragile site with miscarriage or infertility by using cytogenetic methods.
METHODS:
Four patients presented at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between January 2022 and December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients and subjected to G-banded chromosomal karyotyping, among whom two were also subjected to copy number variation (CNV) sequencing. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No. 2020-022).
RESULTS:
The chromosomal karyotypes of the patients were mos 46,XX,fra(16)(q22)[26]/47,XX,del(16)(q22),+chrb(16)(q22)[4]/46,XX,del(16)(q22)[3]/46,XX[91], mos 46,XY,fra(16)(q22)[21]/46,XY,del(16)(q22)[3]/46,XY[76], mos 46,XX,fra(16)(q22)[21]/ 46,XX,del(16)(q22)[4]/46,XX[75] and mos 46,XX,fra(16)(q22)[16]/46,XX,del(16)(q22)[7]/47,XX,del(16)(q22),+chrb(16)(q22)[6]/47,XX,fra(16)(q22),+chrb(16)(q22)[3]/46,XX[68], respectively. CNV sequencing of patients 2 and 4 revealed no deletion or duplication on chromosome 16.
CONCLUSION
Identification of the 16q22 fragile site has facilitated genetic counseling for these patients.
Humans
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Chromosome Fragile Sites/genetics*
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16/genetics*
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DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics*
;
Karyotyping

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